Monday, September 24, 2012

BFF Open House Link Party #71 Wrap Up and Features

Fall is definitely in the air and was on full display at last week’s party. So many fun and gorgeous Fall and Halloween ideas.  Here are just a few!

Love this  gorgeous decoupaged napkin pumpkin from Artsy Va Va.


Take a look at this faux bay leaf wreath from Carolyn at homework. I had to look three times because it looks so real!

This reminds me of the wreaths I see each year about this time in the WIlliams Sonoma catalogs.

Speaking of catalogs, this is a great knock off of something seen in Pottery Barn catalogs. You’ll never guess the humble beginnings of these spooky aspen branches from Or So She Says:


I keep chickening out on printing on fabric. Don’t ask me why. I’ve definitely been inspired to try looking at these gorgeous linen signs from City Farmhouse.


As much as I love neutrals, this colorful re-purposed garden rake from Heatherly Loves  caught my eye. It is gorgeous!

Finally, this week’s chocolate temptation are Oreo Mud Bars  from  Twirl and Taste and don’t they look delish?

Thanks again to everyone who linked up and hope to see you all again on Friday. Make it a creative week!

Thursday, September 20, 2012

BFF Open House Link Party #71 and pick.print.party Giveaway Winner

Happy almost Friday party people! I woke up in a panic that I’d forgotten to post a party at all. 

Before we get to the party, we have a winner of the giveaway from pick.print.party.


And the winner is ( as randomly chosen by Rafflecopter) :

pick.print.party

Congrats Carol! I’ll let Rebecca from pick.print.party know and she’ll be in touch with the details. Thanks to everyone who entered !

What have you been up to this week?  Party on!

link party rules-001

Wednesday, September 19, 2012

Mod Podge and Tissue Paper Pumpkin Tutorial

Mod Podged Tissue Papered Pumpkin

I’m finally getting around to some Fall projects. I’m a late bloomer. This is something that’s super easy and can stay out from Halloween through Thanksgiving. You will need:
  • Paper Mache Pumpkin (the one I used is about 6 inches across)
  • Tissue paper (I used 2 sheets, 12x12)
  • Mod Podge
I started with a paper mache pumpkin I found on sale after season last year. I’ve seen them this year at Michaels, JoAnn’s etc.

Paper Mache Pumpkin

On one of my recent Michaels trips, I discovered packs of Recollections printed tissue papers in the scrapbook paper aisle. They were $1.99 for a pack of 5 regular price.

Recollections TIssue Papers

For this project, I chose the script paper. This is a good project to do if you’re in a bad mood. Not saying that I was, just saying. Why? Because you get to scrunch and tear stuff! Tear all four edges of your papers first. Then:

Recollections Paper Pumpkin

Wad, scrunch, ball up your paper. Unwad, then tear into smaller pieces:

Recollections Paper Pumpkin 2

The reason you’ll want to have torn your edges first is that they blend better when podging.

Mod Podge Pumpkin

Apply Mod Podge ( I used Matte Finish) to the back of your paper pieces, then apply your paper to the pumpkin. Since tissue paper is thin you don’t want to oversaturate but it’s also very forgiving and gets in the creases of the pumpkin unlike stiffer paper would.

I was conscious but not OCD about making sure the script was all going the same way.

Mod Podge Tissue Paper Pumpkin

In some spots, paper got layered  making things more opaque, and in others it didn’t and I liked the effect of some of the naked pumpkin showing through.

Tissue Paper Pumpkin

Once you’ve got all of your paper on, coat with Mod Podge and just wait for it to dry.  I’m working on another variation so check back soon.

Sharing At: 



Monday, September 17, 2012

Almost Craft Fail into a Happy Accident Called A "Hatsket"

Crochet Basket 2

I was pretty sure I had a total craft fail on my hands. I decided I would try my hand at crocheting a hat. I have lots of leftover yarn and there’s an organization that collects hats but that’s another post.

Clearly what’s pictured above is not a hat! But, just when I was about to rip the whole thing out AGAIN, I decided to turn my craft fail into a happy accident and my was gonna be a hat, became a basket.


Crochet Basket Inside

Mr. Chocolate even had a use for it in mind as soon as I finished it. I keep my doodle book by my chair in our family room, along with pens, an extra asthma inhaler, earbuds for watching craft videos ( on how to make hats!) etc. but they have a tendency to just be scattered on the side table. Not any more!

Since this wasn’t planned, I didn’t take pics along the way but it is basically a half double crochet stitch all around with a major mis-fire at what was supposed to be the crown of the hat.

Crochet Basket

A tisket , a tasket, I made myself a hatsket?

Have you ever turned a craft fail into a happy accident? Do tell!

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BFF Open House Link Party #70 Wrap Up and Features!

Thanks for another great party everyone.  It was my birthday over the weekend so everyone who linked up gave me a present without even knowing it :)

Of course that makes it hard to pick features but here we go.

This Harvest Chalkboard looks fresh out of a PB or Ballard design catalog thanks to the talents of the amazing Kathleen over at Charm Bracelet Diva.


If you have a big or litle Super Hero in your life, you need to check out this party by Michele at The Scrap Shoppe. Just to give get your spidey senses tingling look at this cake!


From a new blog I found through another link party last week comes these gorgeous wine cork key chains. Great gift idea from Artsy Va Va:


You will never guess what Mich in L.A. used to make these elegant lampshade accents. You will just have to go and visit to see!

If you’ve got old jeans laying around, pop over to Heatherly Loves for a wonderful tutorial on how to re-used them.


Finally, you know there had to be a chocolate feature right? These are Reeses Pieces S’Mores Brownies from Adorned From Above. YUM!


I’m on a “nutirition improvement plan” ( aka diet) right now but licking the screen = no calories!

Again, thanks to everyone who linked up and look forward to seeing what you’re up to again on Friday. Make it a creative week!

Thursday, September 13, 2012

BFF Open House Link Party #70 and BFF No.2 Pencil!

Welcome to another Blog Feature Friday and party here at The Answer Is Chocolate. I hope today’s BFF got my email that I was featuring her. If not, Surprise!

Melissa from the blog no.2 pencil is today’s BFF. ( OK and on a geeky note, I just love number 2 pencils and looked forward every school year to getting a brand new box and sharpening them).
Check out her great ideas like these emoticon mugs! If you’re on the internet or have a cell phone you’ve probably used and emoticon.

Emoticon Mugs - DIY painted coffee cups

Melissa blogs about DIY projects and recipes. Here’s another cool project…a chalkboard wreath:


How fun is that and you could change up the messages with the seasons.

She has me totally drooling ( and it’s not even chocolate) over this gourmet chicken salad sandwich. I like having leftover roast chicken to make chicken salad so definitely trying this one next time:

Gourmet Chicken Salad Sandwich with toasted pecan, cranberries and mandarin oranges

Toasted pecans, dried cranberries. Yum.

Finally, check out these fun and funky cake stands she made with clearance items from Target!

DIY Cake Stands from outdoor plates and cups
Simple, useful, cute. Trifecta of win!
I hope you’ll pay her a visit and show her some bloggy love. Now, what’s everyone been up to this week?
link party rules-001

Party On!

My First Blog Video: Sneak Peek at Upcoming Fun!

I’m being brave and trying new things so to give everyone a sneak peek at an upcoming post, I made video!  I’m super excited ( as you will hear)  to get to play with some new cardmaking products that are coming out. I don’t want to spoil the upcoming post but thought I’d share the goodies I get to play with. OK…big girl panties on….here goes!